Use a little Brasso on a duster and buff to bring the surface up like new.

It’s amazing stuff and I’m never without a can under the sink. Not only for squeaky hinges, it’s just the job for loads of stain removal problems.

For example, apart from cleaning your bike and tools, removing grease, lubricating locks, hinges and all moving parts, it will remove paint, gum (from hair or carpet), rubber adhesive, stickers, rust stains and scuff marks.

It’ll also lubricate sticky drawers and clean crayon from walls. Almost as indispensable as vinegar!

Soak overnight in a strongish solution of washing detergent and hot water. If this doesn’t do it, fill with warm water, pop in a couple of denture-cleaning tablets and leave to stand overnight. Wash with warm, soapy water and rinse well.

When cleaning a jug blender or food processor, simply half fill with warm soapy water, whiz for 30 seconds, and most of your work is done!

Keep food covered, and preferably in the fridge.

Wrap rubbish well and dispose in sealed bags. Keep lids on bins and away from windows.

Keep sink wastes and drains clean and clear.

Clean up food spills and crumbs immediately.

Vacuum regularly, including under and behind furniture.

Clean up after pets.

Turn out kitchen cupboards every few months to check for food moths.

Keep gutters and chimneys clear to prevent birds nesting and insects breeding.

 Put it in a salad spinner and give it a good whirl!

It’s estimated that up to 10 per cent of a pillow’s weight is made up of sweat, skin flakes, dandruff, saliva…enough said!

Check the label for wash instructions (most pillows nowadays are machine-washable) and put two at a time in the machine.

Get them out on the line early on a hot day and they’ll be ready to rest your head on by the evening.

Sweet dreams!

Get outside surfaces such as patios, decking, walls and garage doors looking as good as new with a jet power hose.

If you don’t own one, perhaps arrange with some neighbours to share costs and hire one for the weekend?  It’s a job that needs to be done about once a year and worth shelling out for.

Wash the surface with warm soapy water and seal the stained area with Polycell Stain Stop (1 litre treats up to 9sq m).

This dries to form a barrier between the stain and the new paint and will stop the oil bleeding through. If you don’t seal the stain, the oil will come through, no matter how many layers of paint you apply. When you apply the Stain Stop, cover a slightly larger area than the stain.

When it’s dry, repaint the whole wall.

Quite honestly, it’s down to personal preference. I’d say the generally accepted timescale is once a week, but if you leave it longer it won’t make you ill unless you suffer from asthma or other respiratory problems.

The longer the sheets are left, the denser the dust mite numbers, which means higher quantities of their faeces, which is what can trigger an asthma attack.

Also, to keep dust mites down, don’t make the bed as soon as you get up, because if you do they’ll carry on breeding in the warm and humid atmosphere.

Much better to pull back the covers and open a window to lower the temperature – that way you’ll reduce the population.